COVID-19 has halted plans of Ghana Beach Soccer as 2020 was supposed to be a big year for the sport, celebrating 10 years of existence.

The decade celebrations would have seen a series of exhibition matches along the coastal belt as a tour of beach soccer.

Plus introduction of the game in non-traditional beach soccer areas like Ashanti & Eastern regions.

From a status of unheard, unknown and less supported a decade ago, Ghana Beach Soccer is now recognized and ranked by both FIFA and CAF; with the sport also firmly fixed within the new Ghana Football Association (GFA) set up.

The Black Sharks’ emergence unto the continent has been rapid as Ghana still remain the only team to beat current African champions Senegal in open play in the last 10 years.

In addition, Keta Sunset Sport of Ghana were crowned champions of Copa Lagos in Nigeria last year.

President of the Ghana Beach Soccer Association Yaw Ampofo Ankrah believes that despite the pandemic halting their celebrations this year, beach soccer can still go a long way in the near future to help in nation-building.

“We can have infrastructure, the national sports authority and the ministry of youth and sports can get involved. The youth in the communities can be supported. Beach soccer could go a long way in alleviating unemployment, crime, social vices,” he said.

The Ghana Beach Soccer community have also been creating awareness on sanitation as members are expected to occasionally help clean up beaches.

The new CAL Bank Beach Soccer season was expected to start in March but due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the league is currently suspended.